"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Joel R. Wohlfeil	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
San Diego County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 5.0 - 8 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 6.0 - 7 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

Add your own rating

E-Mail Address ()

* *

Confirm E-mail Address

* * *

Zip

Occupation

Add a comment only

Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

Please type what you see below:

Not an even number!

What others have said about Hon. Joel R. Wohlfeil

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA48004
Rating:1.0

Comments:
One of the most rude non-professional judges I have ever appeared in front of in 25+ years.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA41164
Rating:3.0

Comments:
If you're an out of town attorney, file a 170.6. If you're an out of town attorney who didn't file a 170.6 or took over the case from prior counsel, associate in local counsel.

Other

Comment #: CA37663
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have been a legal professional since 1976. I am not a current member of the bar. Judge Wohlfeil reads every motion, and considers them at length. He is fair to all parties and counsel, although he is very careful not to criticize attorneys personally. He demands courtesy. He handles very complicated litigation and has a good memory of the facts. He does not care for speaking objections and expects all persons to follow his rules. He has shown a willingness to reconsider matters when appropriate. He expects testimony to be brief and to the point without unnecessary waste of judicial assets. He allows counsel to make a record when there is a dispute of law or facts. He allows attorneys to present their cases in whatever manner they chose, but within strict time allocations. As judges go, each with their own peculiarities he remains one of the best.

Litigant

Comment #: CA37582
Rating:1.0

Comments:
VERY INTERESTING ... If anyone makes a derogatory statement about Wohlfeil, then the next posting comes up saying that he is the best judge and deserves 10 stars ... It is all a bunch of lies !!! He does not deserve more than one star !!!

Other

Comment #: CA37581
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He set my court trial all the way back to Jan 7th 2022 my mother passed away April 16th 2021. I have been fighting to get all my unemployment from EDD where I have over $6012 in benefits and this has been going on for a year and three months, I recieved my unemployment card on September 29,2020 and EDD cut me off for no reason what so ever, I have been through the appeals process, and through the commissioners process with all lale-gaging around we could have had this done. I never got to se my mother breath her last breath or buried this hurts me very badly. And think he's trying to save EDD ass well I'm a fighter and if fight he wants he's going to get it. I fear no man whatsoever. I want to be awarded damages $750,000 and intrest and $7500 in lawyers fees in all I'm entitled to by the state. Now as far as rating him 3.

Litigant

Comment #: CA33692
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Ver Fair. Very equal. Great Rulings

Litigant

Comment #: CA33691
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Wohlfiel seems to be fair but is not in reality. I have to agree with the statement that - nonsensical rulings! Very much favors the one that he perceives to be the "little guy." Nice guy, but he should have been a social worker. CCP 170.6.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA32792
Rating:8.7

Comments:
Judge Wohlfiel is by-the-book, maybe a bit inflexible and favors ambiguous law over equitable concerns. Even though he made a bad ruling against me on an anti-SLAPP motion I don't think he fully understood, I found him to be fair and equal to both sides, even a sole practitioner against a behemoth law firm. He actually reads the complaints and the briefs. If he doesn't fully understand an issue, he will take a matter under submission and research it. I was impressed with the time he devoted to my case but he also likes to kick-the can down the road instead of making decisions based on undisputed facts. But he's even tempered and clearly listens. My case was transferred for trial to Judge Enright, who ignored all Judge Wohlfie'ls prior rulings, and every statute and law in favor of big-law. Judge Wohlfiel is a stickler for the rules and procedures, but I know everything would have turned out different (and correct) if my case had remained in his court. I would highly recommend this judge as long as you follow the rules to the letter and the law is on your side.

Litigant

Comment #: CA32784
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Wohlfiel has some of the most difficult cases. He is well liked. He is very thoughtful and reads everything thoroughly. He understands complex issues. He gives every litigant every opportunity to present its case. When ruling, he views all the facts and rules base on the law and the facts without prejudice. He requires attorneys to follow the rules, byt he gives substantial leeway to difficult situations. I have obsered him since 2017.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA32776
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge either did not have time or he did not take the time to accurately review all of the documentation to make a fair ruling in a vindictive lawsuit. If he had been able to differentiate between the truth and outright lies and cunningness, he should have ruled differently.

Other

Comment #: CA32701
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Can't take your family to a restaurant, but you can take them to a strip club?

Other

Comment #: CA14077
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge represented me when he was attorney. Tried to call him but staff refused to put me through. Would like to get in touch with him very much without going down there if possible.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA13358
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Very good judge, fair and efficient.

Litigant

Comment #: CA10758
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Wohlfeil is one of the most unfair Judges, He fail to allow dUE Process, caters to the Insurance attorney, violates the Laws and rules of Court. Allow Defendant Attorney representative when the law forbide such,Abuse of Position. Act like Attorney, not a judge. Uphold wrongdoings, RACIST and DISCRIMINATION, case evidence clear, rule opposite, make his own rules. PREJUDICIAL.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA9911
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Very well organized and polite to all parties, I was very impressed with his attention to detail. Although he had a very busy schedule he took the time necessary to hear all evidence. A true professional in every way.

Other

Comment #: CA8894
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have served on several juries over the course of several decades. I can say without hesitation that this is the first time I have been so impressed with the overall demeanor and knowledge of a judge.
As the presiding juror in a case presented in his court in April, 2016 I was impressed with Judge Wohlfeil's attention to every aspect of the case and his ability to convey to the jurors a sense of appreciation for our service.
He is the only judge I have encountered who took the time to send a personal letter of thanks to each of the jurors who served in his court.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5927
Rating:10.0

Comments:
The most polite judge ever! He treats attoeneys with respect.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3866
Rating:4.0

Comments:
Scary nonsensical rulings! Very much favors the one that he perceives to be the "little guy." Nice guy, but he should have been a social worker.